Archive By Section - Health & Wellness

Pam Riddle will be the first to tell you that breast cancer is an ugly disease that forever changes its victims. But as living proof that it is a disease that can be defeated, the Stanislaus County woman enjoys encouraging other cancer victims with faith, love and hope.

When Barbara George's friend and colleague in the media business was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer 11 years ago, George volunteered to help her figure out her next steps. But what they did not find surprised them.

As if getting a cancer diagnosis was not bad enough, the treatment typically brings its own set of terms and conditions. For cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, the change is often dramatic, from the loss of hair to changes in skin color, even the disappearing of eyelashes.

How one feels about themselves has a lot to do with their physical health. But many people have found that they can boost the way they perceive of their physical self by undergoing cosmetic procedures.

The Guide Dogs For The Blind program was incorporated in May 1942 and began instruction of students in a rented home in Los Gatos, California, south of San Jose. A German shepherd named "Blondie" was one of the first dogs trained. Blondie had been rescued from a Pasadena dog pound and later paired with Sgt. Leonard Foulk, the first serviceman to graduate from the new school. Since that beginning more than 60 years ago, the program has graduated more than 10,000 Guide Dog teams.

When you're facing surgery, it's normal to feel anxious. Many people find it daunting to completely surrender their well-being to others. Common fears range from concerns about undergoing anesthesia, to how long the recovery period will last. That is why it is important to know and trust the physicians responsible for your anesthesia care.

As most allergy sufferers will tell you, allergy symptoms can always be bothersome, turning any time of year into sneezing season. A runny nose, itchy eyes and scratchy throat can arise as the days get shorter and the leaves begin to change.

The Tower Health & Wellness Center was built to serve Turlock and the surrounding areas. Its focus is to support healthy lifestyles while enhancing the availability of the highest possible quality of care as a fully Accredited Medical Home. The Tower Health & Wellness Center houses and also stands as a cornerstone to the healthcare delivery system's infrastructure for the region. The Tower combines aesthetic beauty and medical services, symbolizing excellence in healthcare and promoting the benefits of healthy living.

In a perfect world, you'd develop a workout schedule for the next six months, stick to it flawlessly and find yourself at the level of fitness you hoped to achieve. But as many know all too well, life sometimes gets in the way, be it in the form of an injury, lack of motivation or simply running out of time. While sticking to a regular workout schedule is a challenge, there are a number of ways to keep you moving both physically and mentally.

Oak Valley hospital is more than just a "nice new facility." It has been built by individuals who care and sacrifice their lives for the health of others. One such person we would like you to meet is Vivian Thompson, our Emergency Department Manager.

(ARA) - Prostate cancer is a growing concern in the United States as an estimated 28,170 men will die of prostate cancer in 2012, making the disease the second leading cause of cancer death in men behind lung cancer. While any man may get prostate cancer, there are certain risk factors that may place you - or your loved one - at increased risk. In particular, African-American men have among the highest reported prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates. It is estimated that one in five African American men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

It was 100 years ago, in 1912, when Polish-American scientist Casimir Funk identified the first vitamin. Now, on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of vitamins, men and women still do not get recommended daily intake levels of vitamins. According to a paper published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, only 1 percent of the population meets minimum standards of a balanced diet.

Two million Americans fall victim to medical identity theft each year, according to a study by the Ponemon Institute, commissioned by Experian's ProtectMyID. While medical identity theft costs victims an average of $22,346, the potential impact can be far greater - medical identity theft could cost some victims their health, or even their lives.

Social media continues to shape our everyday lives, so it's no surprise that the rise of social media is also transforming how we use the Internet to enhance our health. For example, 61 percent of Americans go online for health information, according to the Pew Research Center. Of that percentage, women in particular, find health information gained through online resources like social media to be especially useful.